Memorable win for Flint over-long time rivals Nomads

JD CYMRU PREMIER PHASE 2 PLAY-OFF CONFERENCE – JANUARY 25, 2025

FLINT TOWN UNITED 2 (Lambert 36, Mariette 76)
CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS 1 (Roberts 90+1)

What a start to phase 2 for Flint – their first league win over old rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads in 10 attempts dating back to 2011-12.

Not since August 23, 2011, when both sides were in the tier 2 Huws Gray Cymru Alliance, had the Silkmen beat the Deeside outfit before today.

The scoreline was 3-0 to Paul Davies’ side that day at the Essity Stadium, Simon Thelwell (2) and John Hill sharing the goals.

Nomads gained revenge 2-1 in the return and went on to win the league that season, with Flint finishing down in ninth.

From 2012-13 to 2019-20, the teams never met in the league with Quay operating in the tier 1 Welsh Premier and the Silkmen remaining in tier 2.

Rivalries were renewed in 2020-21, when Flint returned to the top flight after finishing runners-up in the CAL the season before. With champions Prestatyn Town unable to attain the necessary licence, Flint went up in their place.

Since 2020-21, the results between Nomads and Flint had been:

2020-21
Nomads 2 Flint 0, Flint 0 Nomads 1
2021-22
Flint 1 Nomads 1; Nomads 2 Flint 0
2022-23
Nomads 2 Flint 0; Flint 0 Nomads 0
2023-24
Flint back in Cymru North
2024-25
Flint 0 Nomads 1; Nomads 7 Flint 2

The previous clash between the North Wales foes before today had delivered a painful 7-2 caning for Flint, but on Saturday, January 25, 2025, revenge was served.

REPORT: FLINT 2-1 NOMADS….

words: Nigel Sheen

Although they got off to a subdued start, with Nomads dominating the first 20 minutes, the Silkmen fully deserved the win, growing into the game, and opening up their opponents with some slick passing moves.

On the quarter hour, Rhys Hughes was given a sight of goal for the visitors, as he came infield from the left wing, twisting and turning, to open up some space, before letting fly, but Jack Flint dived down to his left to palm the ball around the post.

Soon after Declan Poole looked certain to score, but Flint denied him with his legs.

Following that let off, the hosts began to relax, and started playing some decent football. They also began to close down the Nomads effectively, with the front three all putting a shift in, to harass their opponents and not let them build up their attacks from the back.

The home side took the lead on 35 minutes, after Okera Simmonds had won a free kick on the right, just outside the area, 

Jake Phillips delivered a killer ball, and Elliott Reeves made a good movement to get a telling flick into the 6 yard box, where Izaack Lambert was waiting to smash it home.

Flint were able to see the game out with ease to the interval. 

The expected onslaught by the Nomads at the start of the second period never materialised, but credit the Flint players for sticking to their task, denying their opposite numbers time and space on the ball. 

Instead, as the half wore on, the Silkmen looked the much more threatening side, creating several good chances, but were unable to take any of them.

Reeves sent a swerving shot just wide before setting up Luke Mariette, who tried to slip the ball past the keeper, but George Ratcliffe stuck out a glove to deflect it past the post

From the resulting corner, Mariette’s header struck the post and bounced back out.

Reeves led a charge, only to find himself denied by Ratcliffe, who raced out to close down the angle.

However, in the 75th minute, another attack was to prove more successful. 

Phillips played the ball up to Josh Jones, who, at the second time of asking found Mariette, who cleverly delayed his shot, wrongfooting Kai Edwards before deceiving Ratcliffe, by shooting back across him into the corner of the goal.

Nomads substitute Dan Roberts gave them some hope in the 90th minute, when he finished with a nice cushioned volley from a free kick delivered from the left.

From the restart, Flint attacked and Jones tried a cute lob over Ratcliffe, but the ball bounced agonisingly just the wrong side of the post.

The away team were then given an opportunity deep in stoppage time to try and salvage a point, when they were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the box.

John Disney tapped the ball to Ben Hughes, whose shot flew wide of the upright, to the relief of the home crowd.

LINE-UPS

Flint Town United: Jack Flint, Isaac Lee, Michael Burke, Issack Lambert, Harry Owen (c), Sidi Fofana, Jake Phillips, Ben Hughes, Elliott Reeves, Okera Simmonds (Luke Mariette 42), Josh. Jones.

Connah’s Quay Nomads: George Ratcliffe, John Disney (c), Chris Marriott, Declan Poole (Dan Roberts 78), Ben Nash, Kai Edwards, Noah Edwards, Aron Williams (Kris Owens 60) Max Woodcock (Tyler Berry 84), Rhys Hughes, Callum Bratley. 

ATTENDANCE: 410